If you’re seeking a high-concept sci-fi film that offers entertainment without demanding too much mental engagement, filled with intense action scenes and stunning visuals, consider adding “In Time” to your HBO Max queue. While it may not stand out as one of the top dystopian films of the past two decades, this sleek thriller offers some appealing features, beginning with its attractive cast that includes Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, and Cillian Murphy.

Set in a future that echoes the themes and aesthetics of “Gattaca,” “In Time” portrays a 22nd-century world where genetic aging has been conquered and lifespan is the new currency. Once individuals turn 25, a countdown appears on their forearm showing only a year left. They face instantaneous death when their time runs out but can earn or acquire more time, often transferring it directly from one person to another.

In the film, Justin Timberlake plays Will Salas, a factory worker enduring harsh working conditions and long hours in an economy plagued by rising inflation. When a stranger grants him over a century of life, Will teams up with a woman (Seyfried), embarking on a “Bonnie and Clyde meets Robin Hood”-style escapade.

For those seeking intellectually stimulating sci-fi, “In Time” might not satisfy. It rates a low 36% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, with the Popcornmeter slightly higher at 51%. IMDb’s average is a disappointing 6.7. In a detailed critique on r/movies, one Reddit user described “In Time” as “a hilarious waste of great sci-fi ideas,” pointing to clichéd elements like the “high stakes poker game, bad guys in black leather, [and the] protagonist’s folklore hero father” as part of its shortcomings.

But if you embrace the film’s quirks, its flaws transform into charms. It’s a classic sci-fi escapade meant for switching off your mind and enjoying the experience. Despite some goofy writing, it stands out as one of Justin Timberlake’s better movies. Plus, the presence of Olivia Wilde, Johnny Galecki, and a pre-Spock Ethan Peck rounds out the ensemble of this outrageous, high-concept sci-fi adventure.